Prepare for Sunday Mass with our Founder Inspectio Cordis: Examining the depth of one’s heart with St. Stanislaus Papczyński SixthSunday of Easter May 5, 2024 This Sunday’s Inspectio Cordis meditation uses the original meditations – in the quotation marks – from St. Stanislaus Papczyński. Before Holy Communion 1. “And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.” “And this is the way to recognize the Spirit of God: Namely, if a trial precedes Him. For this is a peculiar sign of the divine grace being poured into man’s soul, according to someone’s saying: ‘We almost never have God nearer to us, than when we find ourselves in a difficult situation.’ And Nahum says: ‘His way is in whirlwind and storm’ (Nah 1:3). The Holy Spirit comes to a man with a loud clamor and sound, when the soul is disturbed, frightened, and worn out. ‘Finally, He comes from Heaven, sent by Christ the Lord from that immortal ark of the triumphant heavenly Sovereign. For the inspirations proceeding from the infernal marsh (namely, the whisperings of the evil spirits) seductively approach the soul and gently caress it; but on their departure they leave a thousand vexations of conscience, a thousand stings, and a thousand severe pains. On the contrary, it is clear that the Spirit of the Lord (preceded by anguish) comes in a whirlwind and with noise. However, signs of joy, a thousand consolations, a thousand fruits and a thousand goods immediately follow Him. “If, therefore, you were tormented before the Sacred Banquet because of your imperfections, or because of a desire to regain divine grace, or for any other pious reason, believe that you received the Spirit of the Lord, who will be accompanied by incredible consolations.” We must be wary of the evil one, who tempts with promises of peace but leaves us desolate. God is peace itself, but the Holy Spirit – the “strong driving wind” – shakes us out of false peace, when we become complacent or lukewarm. Rather than giving into discouragement or believing we must be displeasing to God, such “whirlwind and storm” may be the Holy Spirit preparing us to receive Christ, our Peace. How does the evil one tempt you with promises of peace? Where have you perhaps not recognized the work of the Spirit in the chaos of daily life? Where do you need Him to “shake you” out of complacency and false peace? 2. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues.” “Consider that the knowledge of tongues, the explanation of the Scriptures, the capacity for understanding the mysteries of faith and the knowledge of future things are the signs, consequences and gifts of the Holy Spirit. But they would vanish quickly, or they would be of little use for our
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